§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what change in the £1,000 widow's payment would be required in April 1996 in order to restore it to its value in relation to(a) prices and (b) average earnings in 1985. [39655]
§ Mr. HealdThe information is not available in the format requested. Since 1988, benefit upratings have been based on movement in the retail prices index over the preceding September to September period. Data on earnings growth in the period September 1994 to September 1995 are not yet available. If the widow's payment had been uprated in line with prices since December 1985, it would be £1,584.65 at April 1996.
Notes:
1. Figures rounded to nearest 5 pence.
2. The retail prices index (all items) up to September 1995 as published by the Central Statistical Office had been used for prices uprating.